The Secret Oak Tree

    By Atul Kumar

    The Secret Oak Tree cover image

    29 May, 2024

    two young girls sitting on the ground looking at a map under a tree in a park, with a house in the background, american scene painting, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, rossdraws global illumination

    Under the shade of the old oak tree, Lily and Sarah sat studying a piece of parchment. It was a map, a treasure map, they believed.

    a painting of two girls looking at a map in a forest with a house in the background and a tree in the foreground, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, rossdraws global illumination

    They found it hidden in a knot of the tree. The map was old and delicate, with an 'X' marking a spot far beyond the town.

    two girls walking in the woods with backpacks on their backs and a backpack on their back, with the sun shining through the trees, environmental art, a comic book panel, Atey Ghailan, rossdraws global illumination

    Following the map, the girls ventured into the woods. They felt nervous, but their curiosity overwhelmed their fear.

    two girls walking down a path in the woods with a little boy on the other side of them holding hands, rayonism, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    The map led them to a hidden trail. As they walked deeper into the woods, the trees seemed to whisper secrets, adding to their excitement.

    three girls standing in the woods with a camera in hand and a backpack on their back, looking at the camera, serial art, a storybook illustration, Anne Said, official art

    The map led them to a clearing with a large stone. As they brushed away the leaves, they found a metal ring attached to the stone.

    two girls standing in the woods holding hands and looking at each other with sunlight shining through the trees behind them, environmental art, poster art, Anne Said, official art

    They pulled the ring, and to their astonishment, the stone moved aside revealing a hidden passage. They looked at each other and nodded, ready to continue their adventure.

    three girls walking down a path in a tunnel with a light at the end of the tunnel and a stone wall, rayonism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, official art

    Holding hands, they entered the tunnel. It was dark and damp, but the thought of treasure kept them going.

    two girls are walking through a tunnel together in a cartoon style, with a stone wall and a stone archway, rayonism, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, rossdraws global illumination

    The tunnel opened into a cave, illuminated by a soft, magical light. In the center of the cave was a chest - the treasure!

    a girl standing in front of a waterfall in a cave with a backpack on her shoulder and a backpack on her shoulder, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, rossdraws global illumination

    They approached the chest, heart pounding with anticipation. As they opened it, their eyes widened in disbelief.

    two girls are walking through a cave with books in their hands and a backpack on their shoulder, and a backpack on their shoulder, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, rossdraws global illumination

    It was filled with old books and trinkets, items from the past. It wasn’t gold or jewels, but to them, it was the most exciting treasure.

    two girls walking down a path in the woods together, with trees in the background and a path leading to them, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, cushart krenz

    They returned home, their backpacks filled with their treasure. They agreed to keep it a secret, adding to the magic of their adventure.

    two girls standing in front of a tree in a forest with a house in the background and a bird flying overhead, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Brothers Hildebrandt, cushart krenz

    Lily and Sarah, more inseparable than ever, realized that the real treasure was the adventure they had shared and the bond they had strengthened.